Adapter for optical connector having float-type sleeve holder and panel fitting for mounting the same

Abstract

An adapter for an optical connector including securing first and second adapter elements which are opposed to each other and a sleeve holder having an alignment sleeve therein, which is sandwiched between said adapter elements, wherein each adapter element has a seat which is in contact with part of the sleeve holder for sandwiching said sleeve therebetween, the sleeve holder has a pair of metallic sleeve holder elements, one of the sleeve holder elements being pressure fitted to the other sleeve holder element so that it will not be moved relative the other sleeve holder element, the sleeve holder has on the periphery thereof in the intermediate position along the length thereof a flange which is complimentary in shape with the seat of each adapter element.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adapter for an optical connector for connecting two opposing optical plugs comprising: a sleeve holder holding an alignment sleeve therein, said alignment sleeve having opposite sleeve sides into which ferrules of the opposing optical plugs to be connected are respectively inserted such that the ferrules are aligned with each other, and said sleeve holder having flange means protruding from an external surface of said sleeve holder;   a first adapter element having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving one of the optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a first part of said sleeve holder therein;   a second adapter element facing opposite to said first adapter element and having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving the other of the opposing optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a second part of said sleeve holder therein; and   said first and second adapter elements each having complementary snap-engaging means provided respectively on their inward sides for securing said first and second adapter elements in a snap-engagement fitting to each other,   wherein said first and second adapter elements each have seat means for holding the flange means of said sleeve holder therebetween to retain the sleeve holder so that the first and second parts thereof are in a float-like condition inside the spaces of said first and second adapter elements when the adapter elements are secured to each other.   
     
     
       2. An adapter for an optical connector as defined in claim 1, in which said sleeve holder has flange means radially protruding from the circumference thereof; and said first and second adapter elements have respective seat means for pinching the flange means of said sleeve holder therebetween to retain the sleeve holder in a float-like condition inside the spaces of said first and second adapter elements when the adapter elements are secured to each other, said seat means having a profile complementary to the flange means of the sleeve holder.   
     
     
       3. An adapter for an optical connector for connecting two opposing optical plugs comprising: a sleeve holder holding an alignment sleeve therein, said alignment sleeve having opposite sleeve sides into which ferrules of the opposing optical plugs to be connected are respectively inserted such that the ferrules are aligned with each other;   a first adapter element having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving one of the optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a first part of said sleeve holder therein;   a second adapter element facing opposite to said first adapter element and having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving the other of the opposing optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a second part of said sleeve holder therein; and   said first and second adapter elements each having complementary snap-engaging means provided respectively on their inward sides for securing said first and second adapter elements in a snap-engagement fitting to each other,   wherein each of said first and second adapter elements has a first thin elastic engaging piece having an engaging protuberance thereon, said first engaging piece projecting in an inserting direction from one of two opposing sides of the adapter element which are normal to an abut face of the adapter element facing toward the other adapter element, and a complementary first recess into which the protuberance of the first engaging piece of the other adapter element is fitted when the adapter elements are engaged to each other.   
     
     
       4. An adapter for an optical connector for connecting two opposing optical plugs, comprising: a sleeve holder holding an alignment sleeve therein, said alignment sleeve having opposite sleeve sides into which ferrules of the opposing optical plugs are respectively inserted such that the ferrules are aligned with each other;   a first adapter element having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving one of the optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for a first part of said sleeve holder therein;   a second adapter element facing opposite to said first adapter element and having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving the other of the opposing optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a second part of said sleeve holder therein; and   wherein each of said first and second adapter elements has first and second thin elastic engaging pieces having engaging protuberances thereon, said first and second engaging pieces projecting in an inserting direction from two opposing sides of the adapter element which are normal to an abut face of the adapter element facing toward the other adapter element, and complementary first and second recesses formed on the two opposing sides adjacent to extension lines of the first and second engaging pieces of the adapter element into which the protuberances of the first and second engaging pieces of the other adapter element are fitted when the first and second adapter elements are engaged to each other.   
     
     
       5. An adapter for an optical connector as defined in claim 4, wherein each adapter element has a third thin elastic engaging piece having an engaging protuberance thereon, said third engaging piece projecting in an inserting direction from one of another two opposing sides of the adapter element which are normal to the abut face of the adapter element facing toward the other adapter element, and a complementary third recess into which the protuberance of the first engaging piece of the other adapter element is fitted when the adapter elements are engaged to each other. 
     
     
       6. An adapter for an optical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said complementary snap-engaging means have contact faces which are slightly inclined in a biting direction relative to a line normal to a snap-engagement direction of said first and second adapter elements. 
     
     
       7. An adapter for an optical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second adapter elements have respective abut faces formed with opposing press fit holes, and said adapter elements are secured to each other by reinforcing pins inserted into the opposing press fit holes. 
     
     
       8. An adapter for an optical connector for connecting two opposing optical plugs, comprising: a sleeve holder having a pair of complementary sleeve holder elements which are press fitted to each other so as to be immovable relative to each other, an alignment sleeve held in said sleeve holder into which ferrules of the opposing optical plugs to be connected are inserted from opposite sides thereof such that the ferrules are aligned with each other, and flange means provided radially protruding from an external circumferential surface of said sleeve holder; and   first and second adapter elements opposing each other having walls defining spaces for receiving respective ones of the opposing optical plugs therein and for holding respective parts of said sleeve holder therein, said first and second adapter elements having seat means for pinching the flange means of said sleeve holder therebetween to retain the sleeve holder in a float-like condition inside the spaces of said first and second adapter elements when the adapter elements are secured to each other, said seat means having a profile complementary to the flange means of the sleeve holder.   
     
     
       9. An adapter for an optical connector as defined in claim 8 in which the sleeve holder is disposed in a float-like condition between the adapter elements when they are secured to each other and is movable within a predetermined range under an outer load. 
     
     
       10. A combination of an adapter for an optical connector and a fitting for securing the optical connector to a panel wherein the adapter has a rectangular shape with a pair of opposing sides which are normal to the panel and projection means formed on each of the pair of opposing sides, and the fitting has enaging means for engaging the projection means on the two opposing sides of the adapter and securing means for securing the fitting with the adapter engaged therewith to the panel, said adapter having a sleeve holder for holding an alignment sleeve therein having opposite sleeve sides into which ferrules of opposing optical plugs to be connected are respectively inserted such that the ferrules are aligned with each other, said sleeve holder having flange means protruding from an external surface thereof, a first adapter element having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving one of the optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a first part of said sleeve holder therein, a second adapter element facing opposite to said first adapter element and having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving the other of the opposing optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a second part of said sleeve holder therein, and said first and second adapter elements each having seat means for holding the flange means of said sleeve holder therebetween to retain the sleeve holder so that the first and second parts thereof are in a float-like condition inside the spaces of said first and second adapter elements when the adapter elements are secured to each other, and   said adapter having said first and second adapter elements secured to each other to form a single module and being secured to the panel in a single operation of engaging the fitting to the adapter module on the two opposing sides thereof and securing the fitting to the panel.   
     
     
       11. An adapter and fitting combination for an optical connector as defined in claim 10, wherein said adapter has a longitudinal axis in a direction for connecting two opposing optical plugs, and said projection means comprise a projection formed in a center position on each of said two opposing sides of said adapter, each of said projections being formed with channels on opposite edge surfaces thereof which are normal to the longitudinal axis of said adapter for engaging said fitting means. 
     
     
       12. An adapter and fitting combination for an optical connector as defined in claim 10, wherein said adapter has a longitudinal axis in a direction for connecting two opposing optical plugs, and said projection means comprise two thin elongate projections formed on each of said two opposing sides of said adapter which are symmetric relative to a center position of the adapter side, each of said projections being formed with channels on opposite edge surfaces thereof which are normal to the longitudinal axis of said adapter for engaging said fitting means. 
     
     
       13. A combination of a rectangular-shaped adapter for an optical connector and a panel fitting for securing the adapter to a panel having an opening into which said adapter and panel fitting combination is inserted and secured to the panel, comprising: said adapter having a sleeve holder for holding an alignment sleeve therein having opposite sleeve sides into which ferrules of opposing optical plugs to be connected are respectively inserted such that the ferrules are aligned with each other, said sleeve holder having flange means protruding from an external surface thereof, a first adapter element having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving one of the optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a first part of said sleeve holder therein, a second adapter element facing opposite to said first adapter element and having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving the other of the opposing optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a second part of said sleeve holder therein, and said first and second adapter elements each having seat means for holding the flange means of said sleeve holder therebetween to retain the sleeve holder so that the first and second parts thereof are in a float-like condition inside the spaces of said first and second adapter elements when the adapter elements are secured to each other, and   said panel fitting having a pair of U-shaped plate members which are combined from two opposing sides of the adapter to sandwich the adapter therebetween, each of said plate members including a base portion abutting one of the opposing sides of the adapter and first and second side portions integrally formed at opposing sides of the base portion;   fitting means provided on said first and second side portions of each of said plate members for holding said plate members to the adapter such that the adapter does not drop off from the panel fitting; and   securing portions formed on said plate members for securing the panel fitting holding the adapter in an opening in the panel.   
     
     
       14. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 13, wherein said securing portions of said plate members include a projection piece which abuts one side of an opening in the panel, and a spring piece which is formed in a position opposite to the projection piece and abuts another side of the opening in the panel, thereby exerting a pinching force between the projection piece and the spring piece to secure the adapter in the opening in the panel. 
     
     
       15. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 13, wherein said securing portions of said plate members include a projection piece which abuts one side of the opening in the panel, said projection piece having a hole in which a screw or rivet is inserted to secure the panel fitting to the side of the opening in the panel. 
     
     
       16. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 13, wherein said first and second side portions of said plate members overlap on another two opposing sides of the adapter, and said fitting means of said plate members includes recesses formed in said first and second side portions of said plate members into which projections formed at the other two opposing sides of the adapter are inserted. 
     
     
       17. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 13, wherein said first and second side portions of said plate members overlap on another two opposing sides of the adapter, and said fitting means of said plate members includes a recess formed at said first side portions into which a projection formed at a first one of the other two opposing sides of the adapter are inserted, and a pair of hooking pawls formed on said second side portions of said plate members for resiliently holding opposite side edges of another projection formed at a second one of the other two opposing sides of the adapter. 
     
     
       18. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said plate members is formed with two spaced apart projections at distal ends of its second side portion and with two holes at an intersecting line between its base portion and its first side portion into which the projections on the second side portion of the other plate member are inserted when the plate members are combined, said projections being fitted in said holes in at least four distal end positions when said plate members are combined to sandwich the adapter. 
     
     
       19. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 14, wherein a projection piece and a spring piece are formed on the base portions of each one of said plate members corresponding to those of the other plate member. 
     
     
       20. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 14, wherein a plurality of projection pieces aligned with each other and a spring piece having a width corresponding to the plurality of projection pieces are formed on the base portions of each one of said plate members corresponding to those of the other plate member. 
     
     
       21. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 13, further including guide grooves for guiding an optical plug inserter/remover, said guide grooves being formed at an edge of the panel fitting adjacent to an opening thereof through which an optical plug is to be inserted in the adapter. 
     
     
       22. A combination of a rectangular-shaped adapter for an optical connector and a panel fitting for securing the adapter on a surface of a panel formed of a thin plate which abuts a side of the adapter, said adapter having a sleeve holder for holding an alignment sleeve therein having opposite sleeve sides into which ferrules of opposing optical plugs to be connected are respectively inserted such that the ferrules are aligned with each other, said sleeve holder having flange means protruding from an external surface thereof, a first adapter element having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving one of the optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a first part of said sleeve holder therein, a second adapter element facing opposite to said first adapter element and having walls defining a space on an outward side thereof for receiving the other of the opposing optical plugs therein and a space on an inward side thereof for holding a second part of said sleeve holder therein, and said first and second adapter elements each having seat means for holding the flange means of said sleeve holder therebetween to retain the sleeve holder so that the first and second parts thereof are in a float-like condition inside the spaces of said first and second adapter elements when the adapter elements are secured to each other, and   said panel fitting having holding means for detachably holding the adapter to the panel fitting and a securing portion disposed at an end thereof for securing the panel fitting to the panel.   
     
     
       23. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 22, wherein said securing portion of said panel fitting includes holes through which screws or rivets are inserted for securing the panel fitting to the panel. 
     
     
       24. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 22, wherein said securing portion of said panel fitting comprises one or more elastic legs having hooking pawls which are to be inserted through mounting holes in the panel. 
     
     
       25. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 24, wherein said panel fitting comprises a pair of discrete reversed U-shaped members of identical shape formed with elastic leg portions which are disposed at respective opposing sides of said thin plate, and said holding means comprises a pair of hooking pawls on said elastic legs of said reversed U-shaped members for engaging and holding a projection formed on the side of the adapter abutting the thin plate. 
     
     
       26. A combination of adapter and panel fitting as defined in claim 24, wherein said panel fitting comprises a pair of discrete reversed U-shaped members of identical shape which are disposed at respective opposing sides of said thin plate, and said holding means comprises a pair of U-shaped bent tongues formed at an apex position of each of said reversed U-shaped members for press fitting into recesses formed along an edge on the side of the adapter abutting the thin plate. 
     
     
       27. A panel fitting for securing a rectangular-shaped adapter for an optical connector on a surface of a panel formed of a thin plate which abuts a side of the adapter, comprising: holding means for detachably holding the adapter to the panel fitting and a securing portion disposed at an end thereof for securing the panel fitting to the panel, said securing portion including one or more elastic legs having hooking pawls which are to be inserted through mounting holes in the panel, and   a pair of reversed channel-like members of identical shape for fitting over the adapter, each channel-like member being formed with a pair of elastic legs which abut two opposing sides of the adapter, and linking members linking the elastic legs of said pair of channel-like members on each of the two opposing sides of the adapter, and said holding means comprising said linking members being formed for resiliently engaging projections formed on the two opposing sides of the adapter.